Inside Look: The Story Behind the Song
Bob Marley and the Wailers “Jammin” (1977)
This song is off the Exodus album and one of his best known songs. It celebrated the greatness of music and all the good times that come along with it. Although, this song started to stand for so much more once the band performed it at the One Love Peace Concert on April 22, 1978. This was after Marley came back to Jamaica since his down period in London because of the assassination attempt in 1976. In 1978, Jamaica was on the front lines of the Cold War. The Prime Minister Michael Manley who led a pro-Cuba socialist government was against Edward Seaga who led the anti-Communist right-wing opposition. So, during the One Love Peace Concert Marley had Manley and Seaga come up on stage with him and join hands together under the banner of Jah Rastafari as a sign of unity. And even though the battle between the groups would lead to violence, during this one moment it was almost like reggae music had the power to change the world.
Bob Marley Solo Acoustic “Redemption Song” (1980)
This song is off the Uprising album. Rolling Stone placed the song among The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time as #66. The famous lyrics, “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery” because “None but ourselves can free our minds” are actually the words of Marcus Garvey from a speech he gave in 1937 in Nova Scotia. Quoted as “We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind. Mind is your only ruler, sovereign. The man who is not able to develop and use his mind is bound to be the slave of the other man who uses his mind.” Marley infact followed the revolutionary ideals of Marcus Garvey. He was an activist of “African Redemption” and had many supporters. The concept of “African Redemption” was first known to be referenced by Benjamin Lundy in 1833. He wrote a letter to the Annual Convention of Free People of Color Convention with the words, “A new era has opened upon the world! The “dark age” of African oppression is drawing to its close; and the happy “millennium” of African redemption is near at hand! Let the inhabitants of that ill-fated continent rejoice, and her children wherever scattered, sing praises to the Most High, on the “banks of deliverance.”” Marley was in support of the black movement and against racism in all aspects. During this time, the Civil Rights Act was just passed in the US and civil rights were spread all over the world. Marley helped with this spread and had very strong feelings toward the support of it. Also, I believe this song relates to the closed-mindedness of governments and people in charge, Marley often referenced to disconnect from.
Bob Marley and the Wailers “Jammin” (1977)
This song is off the Exodus album and one of his best known songs. It celebrated the greatness of music and all the good times that come along with it. Although, this song started to stand for so much more once the band performed it at the One Love Peace Concert on April 22, 1978. This was after Marley came back to Jamaica since his down period in London because of the assassination attempt in 1976. In 1978, Jamaica was on the front lines of the Cold War. The Prime Minister Michael Manley who led a pro-Cuba socialist government was against Edward Seaga who led the anti-Communist right-wing opposition. So, during the One Love Peace Concert Marley had Manley and Seaga come up on stage with him and join hands together under the banner of Jah Rastafari as a sign of unity. And even though the battle between the groups would lead to violence, during this one moment it was almost like reggae music had the power to change the world.
Bob Marley Solo Acoustic “Redemption Song” (1980)
This song is off the Uprising album. Rolling Stone placed the song among The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time as #66. The famous lyrics, “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery” because “None but ourselves can free our minds” are actually the words of Marcus Garvey from a speech he gave in 1937 in Nova Scotia. Quoted as “We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind. Mind is your only ruler, sovereign. The man who is not able to develop and use his mind is bound to be the slave of the other man who uses his mind.” Marley infact followed the revolutionary ideals of Marcus Garvey. He was an activist of “African Redemption” and had many supporters. The concept of “African Redemption” was first known to be referenced by Benjamin Lundy in 1833. He wrote a letter to the Annual Convention of Free People of Color Convention with the words, “A new era has opened upon the world! The “dark age” of African oppression is drawing to its close; and the happy “millennium” of African redemption is near at hand! Let the inhabitants of that ill-fated continent rejoice, and her children wherever scattered, sing praises to the Most High, on the “banks of deliverance.”” Marley was in support of the black movement and against racism in all aspects. During this time, the Civil Rights Act was just passed in the US and civil rights were spread all over the world. Marley helped with this spread and had very strong feelings toward the support of it. Also, I believe this song relates to the closed-mindedness of governments and people in charge, Marley often referenced to disconnect from.